Huntersville in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Mansion House of Rural Hill

1788-1886

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 15, 2024

1. The Mansion House of Rural Hill Marker

Inscription. Welcome to the ruins of the Rural Hill Mansion House, which burned November 4th, 1886. An article written in the Charlotte Observer on November 5th, 1886 said the following of the home: "It was built in the year 1788 by Major John Davidson and was occupied at the time of its destruction by Mr. John Springs Davidson. The house was built of brick and was conceded to have been the finest country residence in all this section of the State... This is one of the most unfortunate fires that had ever occurred in Mecklenburg, and the Davidson family will have the sympathy of all our people in the loss of their treasured homestead."

This sign is based on a letter written by Dr. John M.W. Davidson in 1853 describing the home and Louis H. Asbury's architectural plans commissioned by E.L. Baxter Davidson, Esq., who died before the project to rebuild the home could commence in the 1940s.

Erected 2016 by Historic Rural Hill and Eagle Scout Jack Davis, Troop 72.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 4, 1886.

Location. 35° 23.127′ N,

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80° 56.741′ W. Marker is in Huntersville, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It can be reached from Neck Road 0.3 miles east of Allison Ferry Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker and ruins are to the east Rural Hill complex parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville NC 28078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Greater Charlotte.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Ash House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Smokehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Rural Hill (within shouting distance of this

The Mansion House of Rural Hill (left panel) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 15, 2024

2. The Mansion House of Rural Hill (left panel)

Layout of the first floor and basement.

marker); The Storage Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Bethesda Schoolhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Major John Davidson (approx. ¼ mile away); Maj. John D. Davidson (approx. ¼ mile away); Violet Wilson (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntersville.

Also see . . . Rural Hill. (Submitted on August 15, 2024.)

The Mansion House of Rural Hill (right panel) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 15, 2024

3. The Mansion House of Rural Hill (right panel)

Layout of the attic/ garret and second floor.

Remains of the Mansion House of Rural Hill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 15, 2024

4. Remains of the Mansion House of Rural Hill

Rural Hill map showing location of parking and Mansion ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 15, 2024

5. Rural Hill map showing location of parking and Mansion ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.